Novum Research Park

All communication is through the new Heart

Tasked with developing and modernizing Novum, and with giving the building a more distinct main entrance, it was only natural to design a brand-new atrium – the Heart – to connect the existing labs and offices. Life and movement will flow through the Heart to the various organizations. It is our first point of arrival, a meeting place, and the point from which we navigate onward. With 10 stories and 10,000 m², the Heart is expanding Novum’s total area to about 70,000 m² of flexible space for various activities.

A robust wooden frame

With major sustainability requirements for the design of the new construction, both the structure and exterior of the Heart are entirely in wood, creating an eye-catching feature for the area. As part of the sustainability solution, the wooden frame is clad in glass, which improves the energy performance by capturing sunlight and protecting the wooden construction inside.

“In the midst of a climate crisis, it’s wonderful to get to work according to ambitious environmental goals set by the client. We wanted to take that even further in our design, which we’ve done by not only using wood for the frame, but by making it our primary material wherever possible. Wood has climate-friendly characteristics, and for Novum, it visually symbolizes a new era of growth, environmentally speaking,” says Henrik Börjesson, architect and lead designer.

A transparent and sustainable heart

The wooden frame within the transparent façade creates a warm contrast against the existing concrete. Together, they shape an important social function. The design opens up the bustling activity inside to the surroundings.

“The Heart’s ventilated double façade highlights the wood exterior and protects it from graying. It also keeps maintenance at a reasonable level. The smart ‘glass skin’ reduces energy consumption by keeping the space warm in winter and cool in summer. At the same time, it makes the building’s environmental footprint visible from the outside,” says Stefan Samuelsson, architectural technician.

“With its sophisticated facades, which connect to ‘our’ previously adjacent buildings, TAH and NEO, the Heart brings a modern, shared and cohesive character to this life science cluster.”

Anna Morén Sahlin, Lead Architect

Harmonious materials

The existing buildings at Novum Research Park date back to the 1990s. Their smooth gray concrete facades blend with the Heart’s palette of natural materials. Wood, glass, concrete, and greenery create a harmonious look. The original windows, with colorful green, yellow, red, and blue exteriors and white interiors, no longer meet energy standards. To improve efficiency, the team is replacing them with light gray aluminum frames and pine interiors. This change brings a new sense of warmth to the interior.

“It’s especially exciting in this project that the new building is guiding the choice of materials for the renovation and the new windows. It’s usually the other way around,” says Krister Bjurström, architect.

A close partnership with the client created the conditions for working with a wooden frame and a double facade. This communicates the environmental ambitions which also apply to the existing building.

Grand opening of the new Novum is planned to 2024 the earliest.